No Property Slump Here

Cartmel Village in the Lake District

We hear a lot of statements about how the price of the average house in the country has dropped. Whilst this is undoubtedly true the key word that recurs in these statements is the word average. Indeed there are a number of locations spread across the length of the country that are defying gravity – locations that estate agents like to say have the “x-factor”. The good news is that these locations are not confined to the most salubrious areas or indeed to the most expensive properties – there are some surprises in this list. Here are some of the places where property is tipped to hold its value over the coming months and even, in some cases, to gain in value.

Saint John’s Wood (North London). Popular with foreign buyers, Saint John’s Wood has the feel of a village, whilst simultaneously being in close proximity of central London. This attracts the likes of Canary Wharf workers and also students of the London Business School rent here.

Taunton (Somerset). According to the agent Jackson-Stops & Staff, the south side of Taunton is still popular; villages such as Angersleigh, Trull and Staplehay in particular. The town also boasts good transport links, being close to the M5, and some good schools.

Upper Rissington (Gloucestershire). Properties at the old base which sold for a song ten years ago are still 10-15% cheaper than the area average.

Wirral (Merseyside). Popular with commuters to the cities of Manchester and Liverpool, Wirral offers good grammar schools and a mixed bag of properties by the sea.

Warrington (Cheshire). Local agent Bridgfords say that the WA5 postcode is currently very popular and that 1930s and 1970s semi-detached properties in Great Sankey are selling well due to realistic pricing.

Streatham (South London). Streatham is popular because it is around 25% cheaper than its neighbours; Balham, Clapham and Battersea.

Blackpool (Lancashire). At £124,018, the average house price is well below the national average. Blackpool is set to benefit from a regeneration scheme worth £300m and English partnerships are also allocating up to £35m for housing.

Canterbury (Kent). With many businesses based in or near the city centre, there is a wealth of job opportunities and the local economy is healthy. Buyers will also pay a premium for the status of living in this World Heritage Site.

Oddington and Broadwell villages (Hampshire). Villages like these are seen as rural weekend settings for stressed-out city professionals. Picture postcard villages that are commutable from London will always be in demand.

Villages around Harrogate & Leeds (Yorkshire). Homes in this area don’t change hands very often so there is always a ready market for them. Proximity to the area of natural beauty that is the Yorkshire Dales goes some way to explaining the high demand for property in the area.

Lake District Villages (Cumbria). The beauty of the Lake District ensures that its more rural locations, such as Cark and Cartmel, are well in demand. The area also benefits from good road and rail links.

Penzance area (West Cornwall). Reasons for an increased demand in this area include improvements to the Paddington to Penzance rail link, the conversion of a large section of the A30 into a dual carriageway and a planned yacht marina between Mousehole and Newlyn.